2023 GTHA Carbon Emissions Inventory

Emissions by Region:

All Durham Halton Hamilton Peel Toronto York

2023 Regional Insights

Peel Region Total Emissions, 2018-2023

Total emissions increased by 2.5% and have surpassed 2019 levels. The transportation sector (up 5%) was the biggest driver for this increase.

Peel Region Per Capita Emissions, 2018-2023

Per capita emissions decreased by 1% in 2023, reaching 7.5 tCO₂eq/person.
Excluding the industrial sector, per capita emissions were 6.6 tCO₂eq/person, a 1.2% decrease from 2022.

Peel Region 2023 Emissions by Sector

Buildings and transportation emissions represent over 83% of total emissions in the region.
Building emissions in Peel decreased slightly by 0.2%, largely attributed to a decrease in natural gas emissions (down 4.6%), and specifically, emissions in the residential sector. A warmer winter (2023 had 12% fewer heating degree days) was the biggest contributor to reduction in natural gas.
Although electricity consumption decreased marginally (<1%), the electricity emissions increased by 30%, driven by the increase in carbon intensity of the provincial grid.
Peel’s industrial emissions are estimated to have increased by 3% for 2023, based on cement and other manufacturing job growth. According to recently published facility reported data, industrial emissions in 2022 decreased by 5%, largely due to emissions reported from Ash Grove Mississauga Cement Plant.
Total distance travelled by cyclists decreased by 14%, while the number of trips remained relatively close to 2022 levels. Total walking distance travelled increased slightly by 2%, accompanied by a notable 10% rise in the number of walking trips.
Peel saw a rise in electric vehicle registrations compared to 2022, 14,394 EVs (up 55%) and 3,881 PHEVs (up 37%).
Scope 3 aviation emissions in Toronto Pearson Airport increased by 25% from 5.7 MtCO₂eq (2022) to 7.2 MtCO₂eq (2023). These aviation emissions, however, are not solely attributable to Peel region, as Pearson is Canada’s largest airport serving passengers from across the GTHA and beyond.

2023 Municipal Insights

Peel Municipalities 2023 Emissions by Sector (tCO₂eq)

	Pop.	Elec.	Nat. Gas	Trans.	Ind.	Waste	Ag.	Total
Brampton	687,238	294,871	1,521,816	1,801,647	221,316	187,712	3,555	4,030,916
Caledon	80,169	42,954	172,823	385,151	0	21,897	61,315	684,140
Mississauga	751,600	477,754	2,361,798	2,508,570	1,188,154	205,291	0	6,741,568

Building emissions are the primary source of emissions in Brampton and Mississauga, while transportation is the largest source of emissions in Caledon.
In Mississauga, significant industrial emissions are primarily attributed to the cement industrial facility.
Caledon experienced a 6% reduction in natural gas emissions, largely due to a milder winter. Other municipalities in the region lacked 2022 natural gas data for comparison.
Transportation emissions increased on average 5% across all municipalities in Peel.
The distance travelled by cyclists in Brampton increased by 17%, with the number of cycling trips rising significantly by 22%. However, in Mississauga, distance travelled by cyclists and number of trips decreased by 24% and 10%, respectively. Changes in walking trips and distance traveled were also varied, with some cities having an increase (Brampton total walking distance was up 8%, trips were up 14%) while others having a decrease (Caledon total walking distance was down 10%, trips were down 3%).
Peel municipalities saw an average increase of 54% in electric vehicle adoption, with Brampton leading at a considerable 58% growth, followed by Mississauga at 53% and Caledon at 50%.

Innovation in Peel

In 2024, the Town of Caledon and City of Mississauga adopted green development standards for new construction.
City of Mississauga launched a micro mobility program which includes a fleet of 300 electric bikes and 900 electric scooters.
As part of its efforts in reducing carbon emissions, the Ash Grove Cement plant in Mississauga is developing a plan to shift towards alternative low-carbon fuels. This initiative will also help divert non-recyclable materials used in other industrial and commercial processes from landfills.

Policy Tracker

Policies being adopted in real time

Done

Exists at Local Level

In Progress

Not Initiated

	Mandatory Green Development Standards	Existing Building Performance Standards	Electric Vehicle Strategy	Building Retrofit Programs
Peel
Mississauga
Brampton
Caledon